The Plaza's Grand Ballroom, designed by David Monn. Credit Eric Weiss.

Orchestra of St. Luke’s celebrated its annual Gift of Music Gala on April 12, 2017 at The Plaza Hotel in Manhattan. This year’s honorees included David Bury, chairman of The Bay & Paul Foundations, and Orchestra of St. Luke’s Principal Conductor Pablo Heras-Casado. The event was the largest gala in St. Luke’s history, raising more than $1.3 million in support of the orchestra’s artistic, education and community programs, and activities at The DiMenna Center for Classical Music.

The evening began with a pre-dinner reception where nearly 300 guests quickly filled The Plaza’s Terrace Foyer. Following dinner and dessert, and after a word from President & Executive Director James Roe, it was time to award the honorees. Orchestra of St. Luke’s co-founder Marianne Lockwood gave a moving speech as she introduced her husband and the night’s first honoree, David Bury.

One of the evening’s highlights was a surprise tribute from Plácido Domingo, one of the honorary Chairs, to Pablo Heras-Casado. After an introduction from Board Chairman Norman Benzaquen and accepting his award, Maestro Heras-Casado joined the orchestra and led an inspired musical performance featuring special guest artist Isabel Leonard. The night’s festivities concluded with host and OSL Board Member Susan Graham kicking off the traditional waltzing portion of the evening with a surprise number – Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Shall We Dance” from The King and I.

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